31
Ford Mustang
Ford's all-American Mustang finally made its official UK and Ireland right-hand drive debut this year, a mere 51 years late from its original introduction. It's hardly "right-sized" for the Irish market – a 2.3 turbo is the smallest and most frugal engine available – but it's damn near impossible not to be suckered in by its charms. From the square-jawed styling to the entertainingly loose-hipped handling to the grumble of that optional 5.0-litre V8, it's a full-on Yankee charm offensive. Over here, oversized but not overhyped. Enormous fun in every sense.
Best Buy: EcoBoost is the sensible option, but we want a V8 . . .
Price range: €46,000 to €73,000
CO2 emissions range: 179 to 299g/km
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32
Hyundai i20
It's a little more quietly styled than its predecessor, and no one is fooled by calling the three-door version a "Coupe", but the i20 is a hugely sensible small hatch. And not that small – Hyundai claims, believably, that cabin space is on a par with cars from the next class up, and the cabin is certainly well made, comfy and stylish enough to bear the comparison. The only weak link at the moment is the engine range – the most-popular 1.2 petrol seems a bit lacklustre, but there is a very impressive new 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo on the way, which should considerably lift the i20's appeal.
Best buy: 1.2 Deluxe
Price range: €15,995 to €20,495
CO2 emissions range: 99 to 155g/km
33
Peugeot 308
Peugeot has really been on something of a roll for the past few years, rediscovering much of its old 1980s and 1990s mojo. Its best effort has been this, the 308 hatch, which manages to overcome slightly staid (if admittedly classy) styling to become a really desirable family hatch. The cabin is classy and well made, the overall quality very good, and the new 1.2 turbo petrol PureTech engines really excellent. The only serious flaw is that the back seats are too tight, but you can rectify that by upgrading to the more spacious SW estate.
Best buy: 1.2 PureTech SW Estate Allure
Price range: €19,365-€30,045
CO2 emissions range: 95 to 119g/km
34
Honda CR-V
Honda's current mid-size SUV felt a little flat when it was first launched in 2012, but it has matured rather nicely. This year, especially, it got some new styling (which isn't exactly pretty but is certainly striking), an interior upgrade and, crucially, a new 160hp 1.6 iDTEC diesel engine, which is a massive improvement, both in terms of emissions and driveability, over the old 2.2. Basically, it's now the class act that it should have been all along – spacious, comfy and pleasant to drive with a serious feeling of premium-style quality. Well worth considering over pricier options such as the Q5 and X3.
Best buy: 1.6 iDTEC 160hp 4WD SE
Price range: €32,375 to €47,495
CO2 emissions range: 115 to 139g/km
35
Audi A6
A big saloon that's due for replacement, the A6 is going out on something of a high. Audi updated it slightly this year with a new Ultra version designed to eke out the best possible economy from its 150hp or 190hp 2.0-litre diesels, and it really works – 65mpg is easily do-able in day-to-day driving. It's also still looking good – especially if you tick the box for the aggressive S-Line sports pack and bodykit – and comfort inside is really good. It's just a shame that the cabin layout looks a little dated now compared to Audi's newer models and that it's still not, ultimately, as good to drive as a 5 Series.
Best buy: 2.0 TDI 190hp Ultra Avant
Price range: €45,350 to €138,800
CO2 emissions range: 109 to 223g/km
36
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover's Freelander replacement really kicks things up a notch by being available with seven seats, which renders it a far more practical family car than before. It's also more handsome, even if you can see too many styling nods to both the old Freelander and the current Range Rover Evoque. It has some major advantages over the more fashionable Evoque, though: it's as good to drive, but far more spacious and practical, and significantly cheaper model for model. Chassis is excellent, aside from a tendency to be too firm over urban lumps. The only issue really is a cabin design that looks a little too plain, not to mention strong competition from the likes of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Best buy: 2.2 TD4 SE – or wait for the more frugal 2.0 Ingenium engine coming soon
Price range: €37,100 to €66,300
CO2 emissions range: 134 to 139g/km
37
Jaguar XF
In spite of being entirely new from its Pirelli tyres up, the XF looks very much like . . . the old XF. Jaguar says that's to help build a recognisable brand identity, but it might make it something of a struggle for customers hoping for something new. Still, behind the predictable styling the XF is hugely impressive – lighter, more agile and more engaging to drive than before with a much more economical 2.0-litre diesel engine as the core model. You'll be wanting the upgrade to the rorty supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol, of course, but the 2.0-litre oil burner is hardly a poverty model. It is more expensive than before, though, with a new standard six-speed manual gearbox pushing the previously standard automatic off to the options list.
Best buy: 2.0 D 180hp R-Sport
Price range: €43,205 to €TBA
CO2 emissions range: 104 to 198g/km
38
Citroën C4 Picasso
So beloved of families that Citroën had to take to importing secondhand ones to feed demand even during the recession, the Picasso has become the utter embodiment of mildly stylish family motoring. Taking some cubist inspiration from its namesake, the Picasso looks rather nicely space-agey on the outside, while inside you get two big, clear, bright digital displays in lieu of a normal dashboard. They're not perfect, but they do look pretty cool. Space is excellent in the front two rows, but a touch cramped in the third. Handling is a bit non-existent, but the ride quality and comfort are excellent and cabin quality has taken a big tick upwards too.
Best buy: Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6 BlueHDI
Price range: €24,945 to €39,645
CO2 emissions range: 100 to 115g/km
39
Mazda 2
Another sophisticated small car that really shows how Japan's car makers are on something of a roll at the moment, generating a new wave of distinctive, high-tech cars. The 2 was part of a massive effort by Mazda in 2014-2015 to update or replace its entire range. The old Fiesta-based 2 was always sweet to drive, but the new 2 adds a layer of sophistication and quality which had been absent. It's lovely to drive and the cabin looks and feels very slick. The 75hp 1.5 is a perfectly fine engine but there is a 90hp version that does bring some useful extra oomph. Watch the options list, though – it's far too easy to spec a 2 up to close to €20k.
Best buy: 1.5 SkyActiv-G Executive
Price range: €15,995 to €22,195
CO2 emissions range: 89 to 112g/km
40
Lexus NX
Another Lexus hybrid that struggles to get around the limitations of its whining, droning CVT gearbox, but one which eventually wins you over with a healthy dose of character. Not all will love the NX's sharp-edged origami looks, but to us it's more stylish and distinctive than the amorphously inoffensive styling of most rivals. Inside, the cabin is superbly built and reasonably spacious, and its combination of low CO2 figures and sharp pricing (equipment-adjusted) means it's rather more of a bargain premium 4x4 than it first appears. Handling is a little heavy-footed but it's not unengaging to drive andit should prove more reliable in the long term than most of the premium badge competition. A leftfield choice then, but a compelling leftfield choice.
Best buy: NX300h AWD F-Sport
Price range: €44,250 to €58,750
CO2 emissions range: 116 to 123g/km